Animal Farm
... days after the barnyard speech, Old Major dies and the socialism he describes is drastically altered when Napoleon and the other pigs take over. Napoleon or Snowball are not mentioned during the great speech. This shows how distant and out-of-touch they really were with Old Majors’ ideals. The ideals Old Major proclaimed seemed to not even have been considered when they were establishing their new government after the successful revolt. The pigs used Old Major's inspiration to benefit themselves instead of the honest proposal. When Napoleon and Squealer take over, Old Major becomes more and more a distant fragment of the past in the minds of the farm animals. He had roused the other animals into planning the rebellion, led them in singing “Beasts of England” and demonstrated his skills as a leader. Yet within Old Majors’ socialist dream he forgot the desire for power inherent in all living things. Had he lived to see the successful rebellion, is it probable to assume that he would have dictated over the other animals. Squealers’ corruption starts from the beginning when it is implied he has always been able to change beliefs to change an opinion. Squealer is introduced as having the ability to persuade others. “The others said of Squealer that he could turn black into white”(Orwell, 9) this ability is constantly used to brainwash the animals into following Napoleon’s rules and demands. Therefore, Squealer becomes the Minister of Propaganda. Every time an act of Napoleon’s is questioned by the other animals—regardless of how selfish or severe it may seem—Squealer is able to convince the animals that Napoleon is only acting in the best interests of the animals. He often tells the animals of the sacrifices Napoleon himself has made for Animal Farm. In chapter two Squealer is questioned about the milk and windfallen apples that the pigs eat. He explains that the pigs must take the milk and apples because they “contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig.”(Orwell, 16) He states that many pigs “actual dislike milk and apples”(Orwell, 16) and tells the animals, “It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples.”(Orwell, 16) Squealer excuses Napoleon’s oppression and smears Snowball’s reputation, just as Napoleon likes. History is rewritten to produce a more honourable past for Napoleon. Squealer lies about Snowball’s actions during the “Battle of the Cowshed” and glorifies Napoleon’s supposed bravery, while in actually fact he was a coward. The animals are therefore reliant upon their own memories, which, as a result of Squealer’s persuasion become less and less reliable. Power and status have corrupted Squealer. Squealer uses his power to remain powerful, and does what is told to him by Napoleon so that his life will be long, comfortable and prosperous, or it is likely that he will be disposed of like Snowball. Napoleon is the most dominant figure in animal farm, his constant oppression of the animals to remain in power ends up causing its downfall. Napoleon is described as a “fierce-looking” boar with a reputation for getting his own way. Napoleon’s method of “getting his own way” involves a combination of propaganda and terror that none of the animals can resist. The careful management of all sources of information also helps him achieve power. Napoleon’s corruption is first recognized in Chapter two as he takes control of the milk and windfallen apples for the pigs. Napoleon removes the puppies from their mother to “ed...